STARTLING STATISTICS Calhoun Co. tops state in teen pregnancy rate

The joint session of the Altha Town Council, Blountstown City Council, Calhoun County Commission, and Calhoun County School Board featured guest speakers, Rita Smith Pruette and Clifford Jackson. The pair shared the fact that Calhoun County now has the highest teen pregnancy rate in the state.

Across the nation, the teen pregnancy rate has dropped to a record low with 27 per 1000 births to teen mothers between the ages of 15-19. Florida is even lower with a state average of 23.8 per 1000. However, here in Calhoun County, that rate is more than double with 56.5 pregnancies per 1000 to teen mothers. Liberty  County is close behind with 52.4 in 2013 (they were number one in 2012).

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